UDF’s Promise to Allow Vehicle Modifications Falls Flat as Minister Admits Lack of Authority

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has acknowledged that it has no authority to change the rules governing vehicle modifications, exposing the limitations of the UDF’s major election promise to permit such alterations if voted to power. Transport Minister C P John made the clarification in the Assembly.

Allowing vehicle modifications was among the key promises made by the UDF during the election campaign. However, the LDF and legal experts had pointed out at the time that the state government had no legal authority to independently permit such changes. The government continued to repeat the assurance even after coming to power, targeting young vehicle enthusiasts.

The minister has now clarified that vehicle modifications are governed by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and safety standards, and that the state cannot independently grant exemptions by overriding these regulations.

Any additions or alterations to vehicles must comply with the registration requirements prescribed under the law. Even permitted modifications must fully adhere to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and safety standards. The minister also said that no one has unrestricted authority to modify vehicles and that technical alterations can be carried out only through dealers authorised by the Motor Vehicles Department or workshops designated and approved by the government.

In response to questions about what had changed after the government took office, the government had presented measures that were already permitted under existing rules. These included ordinary accessories such as seat covers, floor mats, mud flaps and door visors, which were presented at different stages as new concessions.

The basic specifications declared by the vehicle manufacturer cannot be altered in violation of the law. Even permissible modifications must meet the safety standards prescribed by the Centre. Technical alterations must be carried out through vehicle manufacturers, authorised dealers or government-approved workshops.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier told the Rajya Sabha that state governments could not independently relax the technical standards governing vehicle modifications. He was responding to a question raised by MP V Sivadasan.